This blog is to help local photographers find events that are photogenic, a possible opportunity to get the camera out and get a few great shots. If you know of upcoming events in Southern California, Email them to cowtech@earthlink.net

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Elephant Seals North of San Simeon - The Elephant Seal Rookery located about 7 miles North of San Simeon on Hwy. 1 is still active with new babies. Based on my visit Jan. 29th, you will be able to see activity through the end of February. In March you will still see some and the older pups will stay. There is usually something to see here all year.

Through Apr 22 - Surf Design 1967-1984 - Santa MonicaExhibition of rare and antique surfboards. They will have a shaping room with numerous blanks that will be worked on aby several well known shapers during the exhibition. California Heritage Museum, 2612 Main St. www.californiaheritagemuseum.org

Through April 22 Santa Anita Race Track - ArcadiaEarly mornings before the races, go to Clockers Corner where you can see all the horses going to the track for practice. Get great close up shots and images of the horses runing the track. Also on weekends FREE tram tour, Board the Seabiscuit Tram at Clockers Corner and take a tour of the stable area, receiving barn and Paddock Gardens. See Seabiscuit's original stall and barn, areas used during the filming of the movie Seabiscuit, the jockeys room, silks room, saddling paddock and walking ring with its topiaries and statuary. Meet the equine star of Seabiscuit, Fighting Furrari, who played the primary role in the film. See the carriage horses in their home under the grandstand. Truly a unique experience you will not soon forget. Tours depart at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday during the Santa Anita season, excluding Super Bowl Sunday and Derby Day. Season ends April 22nd. http://www.santaanita.com

March 2012

March 1-May 13 - Flower Fields - CarlsbadCheck ahead on condition of flowers. I drove by here on March 3rd and didn't see any blooms.For many years the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch have been a favorite location to photograph the ranunculuses each spring. The ranch offers tours as well as special events such as Kid's Day and an Arts & Craft fair. The hillside looks like a carpet of color with 50 acres of extraordinary color in bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with a special nursery, garden, and gift shop. Address is 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008 off Hwy. From Los Angeles and Orange County:Head south on Interstate 5 to Palomar Airport Road exit. Head east (left turn) on Palomar Airport Road to Paseo Del Norte and turn left. Make an immediate right into the parking lot. Visit www.theflowerfields.com for more information. Hours 9-6.

March 3 People's Day at La Purisma Mission - LompocIt's 1822 at the mission as costumed docents and staff portray life of the mission during that era. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Highway 246 near Lompoc. www.lapurisimamission.org

March 10-11 - Vista Civil War Reanactment - VistaLocation: Antique Gas and Steam Museum, 2040 N Santa Fe Ave. Time: 10AM-5PM each day. Visitors can expect to see real live cannon fire, period costumes, historical figures, authentic battles, meet with the soldiers in their camps, attend demonstrations and more during the two-day festival. Battles will be held twice daily at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. both days. Civil War living history tours will be held throughout the weekend and include demonstrations as well as displays. The museum will also have walking tours of their collections of antique equipment and offer visitors a selection of food and refreshment. http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com/VistaCivWar.html

March 10-11 Annual CSU Long Beach Pow Wow - Long beachAdmission is Free, Parking $4.00, event in the central quad.dancing, Arts, Crafts and Food, starts at 11:00 each day with Gord dancing.www.csulb.edu/powwow.

March 10 El Centro Air Show - El Centro Navel Air FacilityMany photography hobbyist and several professional photographers take advantage of the Naval Air Facility El Centro Air Show to get some spectacular photographs. Visitors to the Air Show are welcome and encouraged to take photographs of the event. Air Show features the Blue Angel Navy Flight Demonstration Squadrons's first appearance of the season. Gates open at 8AM. See the website for more info and lots of pictures of past shows. http://www.elcentroairshow.com

March 11 Del Mar Kiwanis Ugly Dog Contest - Del Mar Fairgrounds.Contest has branched out from just plain ugly dogs to 14 categories including Best Mutt and Dog Who Most Looks Like Its Owner. Paddock Green at Del Mar. Contestant check-in 10:00AM, contest starts at 11:15AM www.uglydogcontest.com

March 17 Mission Life Day at La Purisma Mission - LompocIt's 1822 at the mission as costumed docents and staff portray life of the mission during that era. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Highway 246 near Lompoc. www.lapurisimamission.org

March 24 - Swallows Day Parade - San Juan CapistranoAnnual Parade and street fair and marketplace to celebrate the return of the swallows to San Juan Capistrano Mission on St. Joseph Day. Historic Town Center Park. www.swallowsparade.org.

March 25 - Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve Photographers Day - LancasterThe Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is having a "Photographers Day" on March 25, 2012. If you are a member of "The Photographic Society of America" (PSA) or Lancaster Photography Association, you will be admitted into the park for free. PSA members, please have your membership card available. If you are not a member and wish to join I will be available to take your membership application at the park on this day. There will be a fabulous auction with fine art items and various other items to help raise money for the Poppy Reserve and Saddleback Butte State Parks. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

The Lancaster Photography Association (LPA) will be hosting a photography contest for images taken at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Saddleback Butte State Park and Ripley State Park. All parks are located in the Antelope Valley, CA. The images must be taken between March 25th, 2012 and closing date of May 1st, 2012. Entries should reflect the flora, fauna, and activities available at these scenic State Parks. Examples: Desert Animals, Wildflowers, Hiking, Camping, Star Gazing, Sunsets and Joshua Trees... etc. Entry is free and open to all photographers. Entries (limit 10) due by midnight May 1st, 2012. Please check the LPA website after March 25th for uploading instructions http://www.lpaphotography.org/ For more info, contact HelenHenryRD10@yahoo.com

March 24-25 Civil War Reenactment - Anaheim. This event is held at St. Catherin's Military School, 215 N. Harbor Blvd. It's not as big as some but a lot of the students in military uniforms can make for great pictures. You are allowed to go in the camps between battles. Watch out for some of the buildings outside the campus that might get in your image. Parking is on the streets.

March 24-25 - Spring Busker Festival - San DiegoDozens of urban artists gather in San Diego to perform their family-friendly acts for the crowds.Noon-5PM Seaport Village, Harbor Drive and Pacific Hwy. www.seaportvillage.com

March 31 - Riverside Airport Air Show - Riverside9AM-4PM at the Riverside Airport, 6951 Flight Road. Now in its 18th year, the Riverside Airshow continues to be one of Riverside’s two largest family entertainment events. Free Admission. This one-day show attracts 90,000 spectators from Riverside and the Inland Empire to see the most exciting aerial performers in the airshow business today. With more than 200 acres of aircraft displays, fun for the kids, food and refreshments, helicopter displays and community group exhibits your family will be thrilled to be part of this very unique entertainment opportunity. http://www.riversideca.gov/airshow.

April 7-May 20 - Renaissance Pleasure Faire - IrwindaleOne of the largest Renaissance Fairs in the area for seven weekends on 20 acres. Many performances each weekend on 14 stages. Great place to spend the day photographing the many fair goers and artisians in period dress. Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area,15501 Arrow Hwy - Irwindale. www.renfair.com/socal.

April 21 - Veterans Parade - RiversideFloats, bands, equestrians, marching units, military vetrans and a flyover begins at Magnolia Ave and Ramona Drive 10AM-Noon. Staging area is the lower Riverside City College Parking lot. www.asalutetovetrans.com

April 21-22 - San Bernardino Railroad Days - San BernardinoAmtrack and BNSF trains, a steam engine, railroad artifacts, reenactors, food, music and vendors. On April 21st and 22nd, 2012, a steam powered excursion train will be operated to San Bernardino Railroad Days, sponsored by the San Bernardino History & Railroad Museum. The steam special will be operated from Los Angeles to San Bernardino on Saturday April 21st, departing at 10:00 am, over the Metrolink San Gabriel Subdivision. The train will return Sunday April 22nd, departing at 3:00 pm, from San Bernardino. San Bernardino Depot, 1170 W Third St. www.sbdepotmuseum.com

April 21-22 - Las Mariposas Civil War Days - MariposaDon't miss the most Authentic Civil War reenactment west of the Rockies! The location of our event is Longs' Mariposa Ranch, in historical Mariposa, CA, just outside of Yosemite National Park and on the location of the Las Mariposas Land Grant. There will be a battle reenactment on Friday complete with tactical foot and horse skirmishes and cannon fire Saturday and Sunday are both jammed full of events including two battles each day, AND a twilight battle on Saturday night. Throughout both days there will be a multitude of other events happening at the camps which the public are invited to attend and observe. Experience first hand a medical station, a blacksmith, a civilian town, cooking and sewing, and other aspects of life during this historical period. Don't miss hearing Abraham Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address or Jefferson Davis as he dispels the rumors from the Federal Camp. Listen to Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Clara Barton describe their lives and what it was like to be a slave. A variety of period sutlers and food vendors will be on site. For more information, please visit our website, www.thecivilwardays.com

Welcome to SoCal Photo Opps

Most all avid photographers are always looking for places to go to get new and good pictures. I have put together this blog to try and get the word out of upcoming events. Having been a member of many camera clubs over the years I know how it is, looking for someplace to photograph at the last moment.

This Blog is intended to list events of a photographic nature. It is not for listing classes, training or commercial ventures.

If you know of a good photographic event, you can share it with others by Emailing me at cowtech@earthlink.net

The Fine Print

SoCal Photo Opps is a place for photographers to find events in the area that might be photogenic and be worthy hauling out the camera.

Information posted on SoCal Photo Opps is gathered from personal observations, venue websites, web searches and information provided by other photographers. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information posted here, the operaters can not be held responsible for errors in dates and times posted.